Chapter 12: A New Beginning: Lin Duo’s First Day at Gutang Middle School

With a mix of apprehension and anticipation, Lin Duo arrived at school early on August 31st, accompanied by her adoptive father.

The homeroom teacher, a woman appearing to be in her early thirties, greeted them. She possessed excellent skin, though her figure was slightly plump, and with her black-rimmed glasses, her smile was exceptionally kind.

“You must be Lin Duo’s father, correct?” she asked. “My surname is Su, Su Ming. Just call me Teacher Su. The school has already transferred Lin Duo’s records to me. This child grew up in the countryside; I hope she can adapt to her new life here quickly.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yue Renhui departed, leaving Lin Duo with her homeroom teacher, who then led her to her new classroom.

For middle school students, a transfer student was always a significant event. Immediately, over fifty pairs of eyes from within the classroom simultaneously shot towards her.

Teacher Su wrote ‘Lin Duo’ on the blackboard. Then, with a slight smile, she offered a simple introduction.

“This is our class’s new transfer student, Lin Duo,” she announced. “I hope everyone will get along well with her from now on. Lin Duo, why don’t you give a brief self-introduction?”

Lin Duo had never been particularly adept at public speaking. Despite her preparations, her words still stumbled out haltingly.

“H-hello, everyone. My name is Lin Duo, and I hope… I hope we can all become good friends!” she managed to say, before bowing deeply.

Lin Duo wasn’t satisfied with her stage fright, yet the feedback from the students below was surprisingly positive. Her ears clearly picked up the voices of several boys in the front row:

“Wow, the transfer student is so cute!”

“Seriously! I really want her contact info!”

“Hmph, hmph, my Qilin arm is starting to act up!”

“Hmph, I already have my ‘Little Right’; I won’t fall for someone else!”

Lin Duo was certain of one thing: no one here recognized her as a boy. Indeed, it was already difficult to associate the current Lin Duo with a male appearance.

Before running away from home, Lin Duo could still grudgingly be considered a delicate, late-blooming young boy. However, in the two months since arriving in Nan’an City, perhaps due to the physical demands of work and the release of emotional stress, her body had begun to undergo a subtle transformation.

For instance, her height rapidly shot up from just over 150 centimeters to 155 centimeters. Her chest, initially like small eggs, had developed into small buns, clearly visible even through her undershirt.

Furthermore, a slight accumulation of fat around her hips made them appear more rounded, and her hair had grown a noticeable amount over these two months.

All in all, the current Lin Duo wouldn’t be mistaken for a boy even if she were to go out wearing male clothing.

Teacher Su scanned the classroom. “With a new transfer student joining us and a new semester bringing new energy, let’s rearrange the class seating.”

Immediately, she posted a sheet of paper on the blackboard. “This is the new seating chart I’ve drawn up. Everyone, please sit according to it.”

Whether willing or unwilling, the students obediently picked up their school bags and moved according to the teacher’s arrangements. Lin Duo’s assigned seat was also on the paper, and she quietly made her way to the third row, by the window, and sat down.

Before long, a moderately tall, slightly plump boy sat down next to Lin Duo. He offered her a shy smile.

“Hello, Lin Duo,” he said. “My name is Wang Linshu. We’ll be deskmates from now on.”

Due to personal historical reasons, Lin Duo had always felt little affinity for boys her age. Thus, she merely offered a lukewarm acknowledgment in response.

Once the seating was settled, it was time to collect books and school uniforms. The entire class first formed two long queues, one for boys and one for girls, to sequentially report their sizes at the storeroom and collect two sets of the third-year summer uniform.

To Lin Duo’s disappointment, Gutang Middle School’s uniforms were entirely uninspired, identical for both genders: simple blue and white zippered shirts and track pants.

Next came the distribution of textbooks. Though called textbooks, many were actually reference workbooks designated by the teachers.

After all, it was the third year of junior high, and with the pressure of high school entrance exams looming, a baptism by problem sets was inevitable.

After two months of work, Lin Duo’s physical condition had improved, but carrying so many books at once was still a bit much for her. Coupled with the hot weather, fine beads of sweat inevitably trickled down her forehead.

Just at this moment, the upper portion of her stack of books was suddenly taken by someone. Lin Duo looked up to see her slightly plump new deskmate, still wearing a shy expression.

“Um,” he offered, “I’m strong, so let me help you carry some?”

However, Lin Duo did not accept his offer. She let out a cold snort. “Wang Linshu, you don’t need to meddle.”

Several boys nearby heard the commotion and immediately started jeering. “Oh, big news! Wang Linshu wants to hit on the transfer student! Wang Linshu wants to hit on the transfer student!”

At this, Wang Linshu became exceptionally awkward. Holding a stack of books even taller than others, he didn’t know what to do.

Fortunately, the homeroom teacher, who was leading the group at the front, heard the clamor. She reprimanded them with displeasure. “What’s all this noise about? Quiet down!”

It was evident that Teacher Su still commanded considerable respect among these students, as the mischievous boys quickly quieted down.

Back in the classroom, Wang Linshu placed Lin Duo’s books on her desk. He couldn’t help but offer an explanation.

“Um, Lin Duo,” he stammered, “I really didn’t mean it that way. I just saw you were tired and wanted to help…”

“I know!” Lin Duo conceded. Since the other person had, after all, helped her, she couldn’t keep a stern face indefinitely. “But I don’t like people helping me without asking, okay?”

Wang Linshu quickly nodded.

Once the books and uniforms were distributed, the pre-semester assembly was essentially over. After the homeroom teacher offered some encouraging words, classes were dismissed for the day.

The new classmates had already spent two years together, having long established their stable social circles. Naturally, Lin Duo could only leave the classroom silently, alone.

However, she had long grown accustomed to this; from elementary school to the second year of junior high, she had always been ostracized by classmates for being “different,” usually returning home alone after school.

During junior high, the only person Lin Duo could truly call a friend was Jiang Chengying. Jiang Chengying would proactively intervene when Lin Duo was bullied by boys and would occasionally chat with her.

Regrettably, their paths home diverged, and Jiang Chengying also had her own circle of female friends, so their interactions ultimately weren’t extensive.

Just as Lin Duo stepped out of the school gate, lost in thought, a slightly familiar voice called out beside her ear. “Hey, Lin Duo, over here! Over here!”

Lin Duo looked in the direction of the voice, seeing a girl her age, of similar height and with a few freckles on her face, jogging up to her. “It’s me, Gu Xuexuan! Have you forgotten?”

Lin Duo, of course, hadn’t forgotten. Her face lit up with surprise and delight. “You passed the exam too! Congratulations, congratulations!”

“Hehe, congratulations to us both!” Gu Xuexuan’s smile was particularly mischievous. “It’s a shame we weren’t assigned to the same class. By the way, I’m in Class 5, what about you?”

“I’m in Class 2.”

“Hmm, we’re a bit far apart, and on different floors… But we can walk home together every day after school!”

“Yes, that sounds great!” Lin Duo exclaimed. For some reason, she easily felt a sense of closeness towards girls with Gu Xuexuan’s personality.

“Hey, I want to go to the stationery store on West Street to buy some new supplies. Will you come with me?” Gu Xuexuan asked, smiling as she extended a small hand.

“Mhm!” Lin Duo didn’t hesitate, extending her own hand in return. Thus, the two girls, small hands clasped together, walked to West Street, which was very close to the school.

Gu Xuexuan was the type of girl who was both outgoing and a chatterbox, rattling on about many of her own experiences. Even the usually quiet Lin Duo found herself speaking a bit more, encouraged by her friend’s enthusiasm.

Upon learning Lin Duo’s address, Gu Xuexuan was overjoyed. “What a coincidence! My home is in Xiyuan Community, and I’ll pass by Aimin Road on the way back. I only moved here two months ago, so I’ve never walked in your direction before!”

Aimin Road and the commercial street where the fruit store was located were perpendicular to each other, with their closest point being just over 200 meters apart.

And so, the two girls embarked on their shared route home, chatting for a long time at the T-junction before reluctantly parting ways.

Her adoptive parents were still busy in the fruit store. Seeing Lin Duo return, genuine smiles appeared at the corners of their mouths.

“Duoduo, how was your first day of school?” they asked.

“Today wasn’t really school; it was just registration and picking up supplies,” Lin Duo said, her voice exceptionally lighthearted. “Formal classes start tomorrow. I’m definitely going to study hard and get into a good high school!”

“Good, good! Go for it, daughter!”

The next day, Lin Duo woke up early. She meticulously washed up and changed into the third-year school uniform she had received yesterday, admiring herself in the large mirror on her wardrobe.

Although the uniform’s design unfortunately completely obscured her hard-won feminine curves, her face was still visible. Lin Duo’s mother had been a great beauty, and she had largely inherited her mother’s looks: a delicate oval face, gracefully arched willow-leaf brows, bright, large eyes, and tender pink lips. When she smiled, she was particularly captivating.

Moreover, Lin Duo had always taken great care of her skin, never forgetting to use skincare products morning and night. As a result, her fair, tender face was free of the acne and pimples common among girls her age.

There were some regrets, however. Her face hadn’t fully matured, and her facial proportions were closer to that of a loli. Additionally, since taking the medicine, Lin Duo’s complexion had not been particularly good, appearing somewhat sickly pale and lacking the healthy glow or rosiness typical of girls her age.

Wu Bijuan had already prepared breakfast. Seeing Lin Duo in her school uniform, the crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes deepened with a heartfelt smile. “Our daughter is truly beautiful. Come, eat more eggs to boost your brain; a day at school must be very tiring.”

“Thank you, Mama!” Lin Duo was always exceptionally polite to her adoptive parents.

After finishing breakfast and slinging her backpack over her shoulder, Lin Duo, filled with anticipation, swiftly made her way towards the campus.